Patent application title: In-Line Document Holder for Computer Work Station

Abstract:

A document holder has compact construction for in-line placement and
viewing between a keyboard and display monitor. The holder can be set-up
in a minimum profile configuration to accommodate small source documents,
and can be quickly expanded to accommodate relatively large source
documents. Easel size conversion is provided by a compound easel that is
mounted for pivotal movement on a base platform. The easel viewing angle
can be tilted to suit operator viewing preferences. The document support
position can be adjusted vertically up and down to provide a reading
level that satisfies operator needs and preferences. The compound easel
includes a "drop-down" reading rack that can be extended below the front
edge of a workstation support surface in the over-hang zone adjacent the
edge of the work surface and above the keyboard to allow in-line
placement and use of the document holder in workstations where the
available work surface area is not large enough to support a conventional
document holder.

Claims:

1. A document holder comprising, in combination:a base platform adapted
for placement on a work surface;an easel coupled to the base platform for
pivotal movement about a lateral axis from a first inclined viewing plane
position to a second inclined viewing plane position; anda reading rack
coupled to the easel, the reading rack including a document support
flange and mutually engagable fastener means coupled to the reading rack
and to the easel for selectively attaching the reading rack onto the
easel at a first attachment location on the easel wherein the document
support flange is maintained at a first elevation relative to the base
platform. and at a second attachment location on the easel wherein the
document support flange is maintained at a second elevation relative to
the base platform.

2. The document holder according to claim 1, including:an extension
bracket coupled to the easel for movement from a closed position in which
the extension bracket is disposed in overlapping engagement with the
easel, to an open position in which the extension bracket projects away
from the easel.

3. The document holder according to claim 1, including:a prop bracket
adjustably coupled between the base platform and the easel for
selectively maintaining the easel in a first inclined position and in a
second inclined position relative to the base platform.

4. The document holder according to claim 1, wherein:the base platform
includes a latch surface formed by alternating latching grooves and
ridges; anda prop wire is releasably coupled to the easel and to the base
platform, the prop wire including a pair of strut segments coupled in
hinged engagement with the easel, and a central latch segment coupled in
latching engagement with one of the latching grooves.

5. The document holder according to claim 1, wherein:the base platform
includes laterally opposite sidebar portions and first and second hinge
pins formed on the sidebar portions in alignment with the lateral axis;
andthe easel includes a coupling flange that extends between the sidebar
portions, the coupling flange having first and second hinge pockets
disposed in rotary coupling engagement with the first and second hinge
pins, respectively.

6. The document holder according to claim 1, wherein the mutually
engagable fastener means comprises:first and second hook fasteners
disposed on the reading rack; andfirst and second coupling apertures
formed in the easel.

7. The document holder according to claim 1, wherein the easel
comprises:first and second sidebar portions;a coupling flange
interconnecting the sidebar portions; anda transparent viewing pane
disposed between the sidebar portions and adjacent the coupling flange.

8. The document holder according to claim 1, wherein the easel comprises:a
first sidebar portion and a second sidebar portion;a coupling flange
interconnecting the first and second sidebar portions;a first array of
coupling apertures formed in the first sidebar portion; anda second array
of coupling apertures formed in the second sidebar potion

9. The document holder according to claim 8, wherein the coupling
apertures are elliptical in profile.

10. The document holder according to claim 1, wherein the mutually
engagable fastener means comprises:a first coupling aperture formed in
the easel at the first location;a second coupling aperture formed in the
easel at the second location;a hook fastener attached to the reading rack
for selectively engaging the easel through the first aperture, and for
selectively engaging the easel through the second aperture.

11. A document holder comprising, in combination:a base platform adapted
for placement on a work surface of a computer workstation; anda compound
easel mounted for pivotal movement on the base platform, the compound
easel including a first easel member having a planar document support
surface delimited by a lower edge and an upper edge, and a second easel
member movably coupled to the first easel member, the second easel member
having a document support surface and a document support flange, the
second easel member being releasably attached to the first easel member
by cooperating fastener portions for supporting the second easel member
in a selected one of a plurality of working positions relative to the
lower edge of the first easel member, the second easel member being
movable in a direction generally toward and away from the lower edge of
the first easel member to provide for supporting a document in a selected
viewing position relative to the base platform.

12. The document holder according to claim 11, wherein:said first easel
member and the second easel member include cooperating support portions
for locating the second easel member on the first easel member in at
least one selected working position in which the document support flange
is supported below the elevation of the work surface.

13. The document holder according to claim 11, wherein:the first easel
member and the second easel member include cooperating support parts for
locating the second easel member on the first easel member in at least
one selected working position in which the document support flange is
supported above the base platform.

14. The document holder according to claim 11, wherein:the first easel
member and the second easel member include cooperating support parts for
locating the second easel member on the first easel member in at least
one selected working position in which the document support flange is
supported approximately even with the elevation of the work surface.

15. The document holder set forth in claim 11, wherein:the first easel
member includes laterally spaced sidebar members that are intersected by
coupling apertures, and the second easel member includes laterally spaced
sidebar members and coupling retainers attached thereto, wherein the
coupling retainers are engagable with the first easel member through the
coupling apertures for holding the second easel member at a selected one
of two or more separate locations on the first easel member in which a
source document is maintained in two or more viewing positions.

16. The document holder set forth in claim 11 including:an extension
bracket supported on the first easel member adjacent the upper edge of
the first easel member and operable to be moved to a selected working
position in a direction opposite a position of the second easel member to
aid in supporting a document on the easel.

17. The document holder set forth in claim 16 wherein: the first easel
member includes a cooperating stop portion for limiting movement of the
extension bracket relative to the first easel member.

18. The document holder set forth in claim 11 wherein:the first easel
member includes a viewing panel formed on the forward face thereof which
provides an erasable writing surface.

19. A document holder adapted for in-line placement between a keyboard and
a display monitor in a computer workstation, comprising in combination:a
base platform; anda compound easel, the compound easel including a first
easel member mounted for pivotal movement on the base platform, a second
easel member disposed on the first easel member for extension and
retraction movement relative to the first easel member, and cooperative
retainer means disposed on the first easel and on the second easel for
holding the second easel member at a selected one of two or more separate
locations on the first easel member in which a source document is
maintained in two or more in-line viewing positions.

20. A document holder adapted for in-line placement on a work surface
between a keyboard and a display monitor in a computer workstation,
comprising in combination:a base platform;a compound easel including a
first easel member and a second easel member, the first easel member
being mounted for pivotal movement on the base platform, the second easel
member including a document support flange and being disposed on the
first easel member for extension and retraction movement relative to the
first easel member;first cooperative support portions disposed on the
easel members for holding the second easel member on the first easel
member in at least one selected working position in which the document
support flange is supported below the elevation of the work surface;
andsecond cooperative support portions disposed on the easel members for
holding the second easel member on the first easel member in at least one
selected working position in which the document support flange is
supported above the elevation of the work surface.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001]1. Field of the Invention

[0002]This invention is related generally to document holders, and in
particular to document holders that are adapted for in-line installation
and use in combination with a keyboard and video display monitor in a
data entry or word processing workstation.

[0003]2. Description of the Related Art

[0004]An important consideration in the use of computer workstations is
the provision of ergonomically correct support for documents which are
being viewed by the operator attending the workstation. Document holders
have been developed which may be placed to one side of a keyboard and
video display monitor. These holders require the operator to constantly
look to the left or right to view documents supported by the holder while
transferring information from the document to the computer or when
comparing information on the document with information displayed on a
display screen. Such motion can lead to eye strain and fatigue because of
the repeated head and eye movements required for viewing the document,
the display monitor and the keyboard.

[0005]The long hours of work spent by operators of data entry and word
processing equipment underscores the need for a document holder which may
be used safely and effectively, considering the physical constraints
imposed by computer equipment and workstation furniture, and the personal
limitations and preferences of operators who use the equipment.
Preferably, the document holder should be positioned in-line between the
keyboard and the display monitor, be adjustable toward or away from the
operator, be capable of being tilted to improve line of sight and reduce
glare or light reflection, be adjustable from side-to-side, and be
vertically adjustable, both up and down.

[0006]Various types of document holders have been developed for use in
conjunction with keyboard workstations. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,104,086; U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,524; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,883 which
describe document holders having a generally vertically disposed easel
which is adjustable vertically as well as laterally from side-to-side.

[0007]Other document holders have been developed which are supported for
pivotal movement with respect to a support adjacent one side of a
keyboard and associated machine, including a video monitor. These
conventional document holders require frequent head movement and eye
movement between positions for viewing a video display monitor and for
viewing a document supported by the holder.

[0008]Document holders have also been developed for mounting at an
elevated position above the work surface. However, such holders are
generally not suitable for use where a video display monitor takes up a
considerable amount of space directly behind the keyboard, for example in
desk top computer workstations. Moreover, as mentioned above,
conventional document holders have not provided the capability for
precise positioning of the document easel over a wide range of viewing
positions. That capability is desirable for an ergonomically correct
workstation where a source document is being viewed by a keyboard
operator who also requires constant reference to the video display
screen. Such a range of positions should provide for correctly placing
the source document to minimize head and eye movement of the operator,
and more importantly, accommodate the needs of individual operators who
have different physical limitations and personal viewing preferences.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009]Currently, modern display monitors and computing equipment are
undergoing substantial size reductions, and have relatively small
"footprint" support surface requirements. Likewise, the equipment support
surface area provided by modern workstation furniture is undergoing a
corresponding size reduction. In these modern workstations, the support
surface area provided between a data entry keyboard and video display
monitor is substantially limited as compared to that provided by older
workstations. The document holder of the present invention utilizes that
limited surface support area more efficiently and advantageously by a
compact holder construction which can be set-up in a minimum profile
configuration to accommodate small source documents, and can be quickly
expanded to accommodate relatively large source documents.

[0010]According to one aspect of the invention, easel size conversion
capability is provided by a compound easel that is mounted for pivotal
movement on a base platform. The support profile of the compound easel
can be adjusted to accommodate source documents of different sizes, and
the viewing angle can be tilted to satisfy operator preference. Moreover,
the compound easel can be adjusted vertically up and down to provide
document support at a reading level that satisfies operator needs and
preferences. Further, the compound easel includes a "drop-down" reading
rack that can be extended below the edge of a workstation support surface
to allow in-line placement and use of the document holder in workstations
where the available work surface area between the keyboard and the
display monitor is not large enough to support a conventional document
holder.

[0011]Because of its compact profile, the document holder of the present
invention is well-adapted for in-line placement and viewing between a
keyboard and display monitor. Because of its easel size adjustability,
source documents of different sizes may be brought into a more suitable
viewing range. Moreover, the limited work surface area between the
keyboard and the display monitor may be better utilized without obscuring
the operator's view of the display screen and without encroaching the
keyboard space. In some workstations, the keyboard is supported on a
pull-out tray below the edge of the work surface. In those workstations,
the drop-down reading rack feature of the present invention efficiently
utilizes the available vertical space by supporting the source document
in a preferred, ergonomically correct position in the over-hang zone
adjacent the edge of the work surface and above the keyboard.

[0012]The present invention therefore provides a versatile document holder
that is particularly well adapted for in-line installation and document
viewing in combination with a video display monitor and keyboard of a
computer workstation. The vertical position, inclination, and document
support profile of the holder are adjustable to accommodate large as well
as source documents, the physical limitations imposed by workstation
equipment, and the personal needs and preferences of individual
operators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0013]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the document holder of the
present invention, showing its compound easel and document support
bracket set up in its extended profile, large document support position;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof;

[0015]FIG. 3 is front perspective view of the document holder of FIG. 1,
showing its compound easel and reading rack set up in its drop-down
document support position;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a front perspective of the document holder of FIG. 1,
showing set up in its minimum profile, small document support position;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a front perspective of the document holder of FIG. 1,
showing its compound easel and reading rack set up in its fully
collapsed, storage position;

[0020]FIG. 8 a rear elevation view of the compound easel and prop bracket;
and

[0021]FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the base platform, partially
broken away, and with the easel removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022]In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout
the specification and drawing with the same reference numerals,
respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0023]Referring now to FIG. 1, the document holder 10 is shown set up in
an operative position for in-line use in conjunction with a conventional
desktop computer workstation of the type having a video display monitor
positioned in a generally vertical or near vertical reading plane on a
desk top 12 or other horizontal work surface of a work station, which may
be, for example, a computer cabinet, side table, data entry terminal or
desk. The document holder 10 is particularly useful for in-line placement
in workstations in which a conventional keyboard rests on a work surface
directly in front of a video display monitor so that an operator who uses
the keyboard may easily view a source document and the monitor while
transferring data from the source document to the computer. Optionally,
the operator may compare source document data with data being displayed
on the monitor.

[0024]Many operations involving the use of a computer workstation, such as
described above, require the transfer of information via a keyboard from
a source document to a computer or a similar machine, or the comparison
of information on the source document with information displayed on the
screen of a video display monitor, or the editing of information
displayed on the screen via a keyboard, using the source document as a
reference. Consequently, in-line document support provides considerable
benefits in such workstation operations.

[0025]Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the principal components of the
document holder 10 include a compound easel 14 and a base platform 16 on
which the easel is movably mounted for pivotal opening and closing
movement. The compound easel 14 includes a first easel member in the form
of a flat panel 28 and a second easel member in the form of a reading
rack 18, which is removably attached in overlapping relation onto the
forward face 20 of the panel 28, and an easel extension bracket 22, which
is coupled to the easel for movement from a closed position overlapping
the forward face 20 of the easel, to an extended position above the easel
for supporting an over-sized document. The base platform 16 is adapted
for level placement on the work surface 12 as shown in FIG. 3. The easel
14 is coupled to the base platform for pivotal movement about a lateral
axis A from a first inclined viewing plane position to a second inclined
viewing plane position, according to operator preference. The compound
easel 14 is supported in a user-selected viewing angle by a prop bracket
24.

[0026]The prop bracket 24 is movably coupled to the rear face 26 of the
easel and is releasably attached to the base platform 16 for adjusting
and setting the viewing plane angle of the easel according to operator
preference. The reading rack 18 includes a document support flange 76 and
hook means 88, 90 for selectively attaching the reading rack onto the
easel at a first easel location 104, 106 wherein the document support
flange is maintained at a first elevation relative to the base platform
16, for example above the work surface 12 as shown in FIG. 4, and at a
second location 92, 94 wherein the document support flange 76 is
maintained at a second elevation relative to the base platform, for
example below the work surface edge 130, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0027]Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, the compound easel 14 is
formed of a durable plastic material, and preferably includes a
transparent viewing window pane portion 28. The window pane portion has a
surface formed on the forward face 20 which provides an erasable writing
surface. Preferably, the writing surface is compatible with dry erase
markers of the kind that are used for writing on dry-erase white boards.

[0028]The easel 14 also includes an inwardly-turned, lower coupling flange
30 that extends along the width dimension of the easel between hinge
portions 32, 34 formed on laterally opposite side portions 16A, 16B of
the base platform 16. Hinge pins 36, 37 are formed on the hinge portions
32, 34, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 9. The hinge pins are received in a
pair of hinge pockets 38, 40 that are formed on opposite end portions
30A, 30B of the coupling flange 30, as shown in FIG. 8. This hinge
construction allows the easel 14 to rotate from a fully collapsed,
minimum profile position as shown in FIG. 5, to an upright reading
position as shown in FIG. 1. The pin and socket coupling arrangement
ensures that the easel 14 will remain securely engaged with the hinge
pins 36 during use.

[0029]Referring now to FIG. 2, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the viewing angle of the
easel 14is adjusted and set according to operator preference by the prop
bracket 24. In the preferred embodiment, the prop bracket 24 is formed by
bending a length of nickel plated stainless steel wire, having a diameter
of about 0.080 inch (about 2 mm, AWG 12 gauge) into the profile shown in
FIG. 9. The prop bracket 24 includes a pair of strut segments 42, 44 that
are integrally formed with opposite end portions of a central latch
segment 46. The prop bracket 24 also includes integrally formed hinge pin
segments 48, 50 that project laterally from the struts 42, 44,
respectively.

[0030]The hinge pin segments 48, 50 are received in hinge pockets 52, 54,
respectively, that are formed on sidebar potions 14A, 14B of the easel
14. The strut segments 42, 44 are manually deflected slightly to permit
insertion of the coupling pins 48, 50 into the pockets, as indicated in
FIG. 8. When the strut segments are released, the prop bracket 24 applies
a resilient bias force which maintains pin engagement while allowing
pivotal rotation of the prop bracket 24 relative to the easel 14.

[0031]Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, the central latch segment 46 of the
prop bracket 24 may be inserted into any one of multiple grooves 56 that
are formed in the base platform 16. The grooves 56 extend longitudinally
in parallel alignment, and are equally spaced apart by projecting ridge
portions 58. In the preferred embodiment, the grooves 56 are spaced apart
on 0.50 inch centers. This spacing provides adjustment in 5 degree slope
increments of the easel viewing plane through a range of from about 27
degrees to about 52 degrees relative to the support plane of the base
platform 16. The central latch segment 46 of the prop bracket 24 is
retained in an operator-selected groove 56 by snap-fit detent engagement
within a latching pocket provided by a tab 60. The tab 60 is integrally
formed with the projecting ridge 58, and yields and deflects slightly as
the latch segment 46 is inserted into the groove 56. Upon complete
insertion, the tab 60 returns to its unloaded position, thus maintaining
the latch segment 46 in the selected groove 56.

[0032]The document support extension bracket 22 can be rotated between the
fully extended position shown in FIG. 1 to the minimum profile, fully
retracted position shown in FIG. 4. An enlarged easel profile for full
support of an over-size document may be selected and set by the operator,
for example, when a large source document is to be viewed. The terms
"large" and "over-size" in this example should be considered with
reference to the support area provided by the document holder 10 when
set-up in its maximum profile configuration as shown in FIG. 1, as
compared to its minimum profile configuration as shown in FIG. 4.

[0033]The minimum profile configuration is intended for use with cards and
other small source documents that are smaller than standard 81/2×11
inch letter-size documents. When it is desired to support an oversize
source document, the extension bracket 22 is rotated to the full up
position as shown in FIG. 3, and is retained in that position by positive
stop contact engagement of the extension bracket against the underlying
forward face 20 of the easel 14.

[0034]The construction of the upper extension bracket 22 is similar to the
construction of the prop bracket 24. The extension bracket 22 is formed
by bending a length of nickel plated stainless steel wire having a
diameter of about 0.080 inch (about 2 mm), into the profile shown in FIG.
3. The extension bracket 22 includes a pair of extension arms 62, 64 that
are integrally formed with opposite end portions of a central bail
segment 66. The extension bracket 22 also includes integrally formed
hinge pin segments 68, 70 that project laterally from the extension arms
62, 64, respectively. The pin segments 68, 70 are received in hinge
coupling pockets 72, 74, respectively, that are formed on the sidebar
potions 14A, 14B of the easel 14.

[0035]The extension arms 62, 64 are manually deflected slightly to permit
insertion of the coupling pins into the sidebar hinge pockets 72, 74.
When the extension arms 52, 64 are released, the extension bracket 22
applies a resilient bias force which maintains pin engagement while
allowing pivotal rotation of the extension bracket 22 relative to the
easel 14. Pivoting movement of the extension bracket 22 is limited by
positive stop engagement of the extension arms 62, 64 against the
underlying forward face 20 of the easel 14.

[0036]Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the reading rack
18 is removably attached in overlapping relation onto the forward face 20
of the easel 14. The primary function of the reading rack 18 is to
provide subjacent support for a source document. For this purpose, the
reading rack 18 includes a document support flange 76 that overlaps and
extends along the width dimension of the easel 14. The support flange 76
is integrally formed with and extends between laterally opposite sidebar
portions 78, 80. The support flange 76 includes a web portion 82 that
projects outboard relative to the sidebar portions. A lip 84 is formed
along the outboard edge of the flange for retaining one or more source
documents. The support flange 76 is reinforced by an elongated web
portion 86 that is integrally formed with the sidebar portions 78, 80 and
the web portion 84.

[0037]According to an important feature of the invention, the reading rack
18 is movably coupled to the easel 14 for adjustable placement in
overlapping engagement with the front face 20 of the easel at spaced
locations along the easel sidebar portions 14A, 14B, as shown in FIG. 1.
For this purpose, the reading rack 18 is provided with a pair of retainer
hooks 88, 90 that are formed on the rear faces of the sidebar portions
78, 80, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The retainer hooks 88, 90 are
dimensioned for interlocking engagement with the easel sidebar portions
at the predetermined vertical locations provided by the pairs of index
apertures 92, 94; 96, 98; 100, 102; and 104, 106 that are formed in the
easel sidebar portions 14A, 14B, respectively.

[0038]The reading rack 18 is mounted at an operator-selected vertical
position on the front face 20 of the easel 14 by inserting the retainer
hooks 88, 90 into a selected pair of index apertures and then pulling the
reading rack downwardly along the face of the easel until the retainer
hooks are brought into positive stop engagement against the lower edge
portions E which delimit the index apertures. The reading rack 18 can be
removed and placed in another vertical location by manually pushing the
reading rack up until the retainer hooks 88, 90 disengage from the easel
sidebar portions, and then repeating the installation steps in a new
vertical location selected by the operator.

[0039]In the preferred embodiment, the index apertures are disposed in
vertical alignment with each other along each sidebar, and the index
apertures in each sidebar are disposed in horizontal alignment with the
corresponding apertures of the other sidebar. Preferably, for ease of
installation and removal of the reading rack 18, the index apertures are
elliptical in profile.

[0040]Referring now to FIG. 5, the document holder 10 is shown in its
fully collapsed, storage configuration. In this configuration, the
reading rack is removed from the easel 14 and placed in nesting
engagement within a storage pocket 108 formed along the underside of the
base platform 16. The prop bracket 24 is released from detent engagement
with the tab 60 and folded against the rear face 26 of the easel. The
extension bracket 22 is folded over onto the front face 20 of the easel
14. The easel 14 is then folded back onto the base platform 16 and is
received in flush engagement between the left and right base sidebar
portions 16A, 16B.

[0041]The easel sidebar portions 14A, 14B engage against left and right
platform blocks 110, 112 in the fully collapsed, storage configuration.
The easel 14 is secured into the minimum profile storage position by a
first set of index stubs 114, 116, 118 and 120 that are integrally formed
with the left platform block 108 and by engagement of a second set of
index stubs 122, 124, 126 and 128 that are integrally formed with the
right platform block 112 (see FIG. 9). The first set of index stubs are
engagable in the first array of index apertures 94, 98, 102 and 106, and
the second set of index stubs are engagable in the second array of index
apertures 92, 96, 100 and 104 (See FIG. 8).

[0042]According to another important feature of the invention, the
compound easel 14 may be adjusted to provide document support over a wide
range of vertical reading positions, both up and down, with respect to
the base platform 16 to optimize the location of source documents to
accommodate workstation constraints and operator preferences. This
vertical adjustability feature is provided by the "drop-down" reading
rack 18 that can be extended below the edge 130 of a workstation support
surface 12 to allow in-line placement and use of the document holder in
workstations where the available work surface area between the keyboard
and the display monitor is not large enough to support a conventional
document holder.

[0043]Referring again to FIG. 3, the document support flange 76 of the
reading rack 18 is extended below the front edge 128 of the work surface
12. The reading rack is secured in the drop-down position by engagement
of the retainer hooks 88, 90 in the lower index apertures 90, 92. The
document support flange 76 of the reading rack 18 adjusts over a range of
approximately 6 inches relative to the rotational axis A of the easel. In
the preferred embodiment, vertical ad adjustment of the reading rack and
document support flange 76 relative to the easel 14 is performed in
2-inch increments.

[0044]The easel extension bracket 22 may be moved to the extended position
as shown in FIG. 3 to provide in-line support for a large source document
(e.g., 81/2×11 inches standard letter size) while the reading rack
is in the drop-down position. Optionally, or the easel extension bracket
may be retracted to provide in-line support for a small source document,
while the reading rack is set in the drop-down position.

[0045]Preferably, the base platform 16, the coupling flange 30 and sidebar
portions 14A, 14B of the easel 14, and the document support flange 76 and
sidebar portions 78, 80 of the reading rack 18 are constructed of high
impact polystyrene resin. The transparent pane 28 of the easel is formed
of clear acrylic resin. All panel sidewalls of the document holder
components have a nominal thickness of 0.075 inch (about 2 mm). All
components are fabricated by conventional injection molding equipment and
methods.

[0046]The invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to a preferred embodiment in which examples have been given to
explain what I believe is the best way to make and use my document holder
invention. The materials, components and dimensional values given in the
detailed description are exemplary of those that may be used in the
successful practice of my invention.